Joao Pedro’s family and friends in Brazil have reacted with anger and heartbreak after he was left out of Brazil’s 26-man World Cup squad, with Neymar selected instead. The decision landed amid visible celebrations in Sao Paulo as supporters watched the squad
A barbecue turned into a wall of silence in the Ribeirão Preto region of Sao Paulo as João Pedro’s nearest and dearest gathered to watch Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti name his World Cup squad.
The mood had been bright, with Pedro’s loved ones decorating their home in Brazil’s green and yellow colours. Then the list came out, and the name that should have been there wasn’t. João Pedro was omitted from the 26-man squad for the summer tournament, with Neymar selected in his place.
For people close to the Chelsea forward, the exclusion felt like a dream snatched away. “We’re very sad because we know it’s a dream,” said former footballer Jimmy Barboza, a close friend of Pedro, speaking via Globo. “We always hope he’ll be called up for every match. Unfortunately, not this time.”
Barboza added that it was simply Ancelotti’s decision, and that the family would still back Brazil. “It’s the coach’s choice. Now we have to root for Brazil. I’ll send him a message. It’s a surprise. I don’t know if Ancelotti has already called him or not, but we’ll do our part as friends.”
Friends who had believed timing was on Pedro’s side were even sharper in their disappointment. Arthur Mendonça, a childhood friend of Pedro, said Pedro had a real chance to be included. “He had a chance of going. I believed he would, especially given the timing,” Mendonça said. “Compared to others, the timing is better, but that’s how it is. There are differing opinions, and we have to respect that.”.
Vanessa Barbosa, a family friend, tried to frame the moment as something the 24-year-old can absorb and move beyond. “Frustrating. That’s all I have to say,” she said. “But João Pedro is a boy with a lot of personality. He’s very mature for his age and I’m sure he’ll overcome this. He’s certainly sad, but this won’t shake him. Regardless of what happens, we’re in this together.”.
The sting for Pedro’s circle was intensified by how much he had done at club level to earn attention. The article notes he shone in his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, landing Chelsea’s Player of the Season prize.
When the squad announcement was made, it also set off a different kind of spotlight—one that landed on Neymar.
Within an hour of Brazil’s World Cup call-up, Neymar reportedly pocketed £4.5million from social media posts alone. The article says that within the space of 50 minutes after Ancelotti’s announcement. Neymar shared three sponsored posts on social media. promoting an e-commerce platform. a sports brand and an energy drink. Globo’s reporting put the total at £4.5m.
Ancelotti, meanwhile, attempted to put the selection in terms of ambition and resilience when confirming the squad. “I’m not afraid to say that we want to win the World Cup. because expectations are high. ” the Italian said. “We will have a squad capable of developing quality football, with collective spirit and quality.”.
He added: “It is not a perfect squad, I’m sure of that.”
Then he made the case that perfection isn’t required. “I have to say that the team that wins the World Cup will not be a perfect team – a perfect team does not exist.”
Ancelotti closed with the kind of message that reads like a promise of grit rather than flair: “The most resilient team can win. We want to be the most resilient team in the world.”
Joao Pedro Brazil World Cup squad Neymar Carlo Ancelotti Chelsea Stamford Bridge Riberão Preto Jimmy Barboza Arthur Mendonça Vanessa Barbosa £4.5m sponsored posts